The data presented in the study published by the American Psychological Association shows that grandparents' assistance in caring for grandchildren can serve as a protective factor against cognitive decline.
Flavia Chereches, the lead researcher from Tilburg University in the Netherlands, noted that many older adults are actively involved in caring for their grandchildren, which not only supports their families but also benefits society as a whole.
“However, there remains the question of how exactly such care affects the health of the grandparents themselves. We decided to investigate whether participation in caring for grandchildren positively impacts their health and slows cognitive changes,” she added.
The study analyzed data from 2,887 grandparents who participated in the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing. All respondents were over 50 years old, with an average age of 67. Testing and surveys were conducted three times from 2016 to 2022.
Participants were asked whether they had cared for their grandchildren in the past year, and information was collected on the frequency and nature of the care.
Types of Care
Diverse types of care included overnight supervision, assistance with sick grandchildren, playing together, participating in recreational activities, helping with studies, transportation to school, and cooking.
Comparing the results of cognitive tests, researchers found that grandparents who actively cared for their grandchildren showed better results in memory and verbal flexibility compared to those who did not engage in such activities. These differences persisted even when accounting for the age and overall health of the participants. The pattern remained consistent regardless of the frequency of care and types of activities.
Differences Among Grandmothers
Interestingly, the study revealed that grandmothers participating in caring for grandchildren exhibited less cognitive decline over time compared to those who did not provide such assistance.
“We were particularly struck by the fact that the role of grandparents as caregivers has a more significant impact on cognitive functions than the frequency of care or specific actions performed with grandchildren,” noted Chereches. “Further research is needed to confirm these findings. If caring for grandchildren truly provides benefits, it appears to be related not to the frequency of assistance but to the very experience of participating in the care of grandchildren.”
The Importance of Family Context
Chereches emphasized the need for further study on the influence of family dynamics and other factors on the results obtained. The conditions under which care is provided can significantly affect its effectiveness.
“Voluntary care in a supportive family environment may have a different effect on grandparents than care in stressful conditions, where they feel unsupported or perceive caregiving as an obligation,” she added.
